CRICKLADE'S unknown soldier has prompted an appeal by the town's history group.

Cricklade Historical Society has been researching the names of all the soldiers featured on the town's war memorial.

And so far they have managed to identify all except one - Albert Curtis.

The only lead the society had to go on was an oral record from Reece Giles, who has since died, which was documented by Louise Aitken in 1989.

That record stated: "Albert Curtis: No-one remembers where he came from, but he married a Cricklade girl and was a porter at the station.

"Before his marriage he lodged with Mrs Wyatt in a house near the Jubilee Clock. He went off to war in 1914."

Albert Curtis was also recorded as serving in the war in a list of servicemen recorded in 1914.

In that list he is recorded as serving with the 3rd Wilts, a training battalion.

David Tetlow of the historical society said: "Despite having already followed up a number of leads, I have not been able to positively identify who Albert was, either in terms of his family, or which of the deaths recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website refers to him.

"I would really value any help in tracking Albert down.

"The society also hopes to provide a more permanent record in booklet form of those Cricklade residents who paid the ultimate price in defending the freedom of this country of ours."

The war memorial is currently receiving a £5,000 makeover to make it easier to access for people with disabilities.

Much of the work is being paid for by North Wiltshire District Council, which has stumped up a £2,500 grant for the work.

Other small grants from local charities are also helping pay for the work.

Anyone with any information relating to any of the names, particularly Albert Curtis, or photographs of the fallen war heroes can ring Mr Tetlow on 01793 750712.